Starting at noon, we will have food, games, craft activities, and a special visit from Dora the Explorer & Spongebob Squarepants. Then from 2:00 through the rest of the day, everyone will get a free pool pass to enjoy the lazy river, water slides and pools. For all the details, click here to see the event flyer. 

This event, which normally costs $40/person, will be FREE for AZA families!!  (parents, children and one habilitator) Others are welcome to join us too as guests at a discounted rate of $20/adult and $15/child.  To RSVP, just email events@azaunited.org or give us a call at 602-773-5773.  Please provide all names in your group and specify as adults or children.  To reserve your spot, you must RSVP by July 7th! Discounted room rates are also available if you would like to spend the night.  See the flyer for more details. Hope to see you there!

I wanted to take a moment to let you know how happy we are with Adrienne Kehoe. Adrienne had come to us at a most vulnerable time for Travis while he was struggling with anxiety and frustrations and we were having so much trouble finding how to help him.  Adrienne has such a vast knowledge of autism and special needs and has a special finesse that she was the perfect thing we could have ever given Travis.

In the time Adrienne has been with us, Travis has been able to overcome several very huge emotional and developmental hurdles.  She has gained a personal and trusting relationship with Travis that allows Travis to feel safe and supported while he works to grow more each day and face new hurdles as they come.  I am impressed at her skill in tapping into just the right place for Travis, that he is able to open up and begin to talk about feelings, frustrations, sadness, joys, eagerness and more feelings that are so very hard for children with autism to relate.  It is with his sharing with her and her consistent efforts that Adrienne is able to pinpoint and then work with us on strategies for the next area and milestone for Travis and all of us to work on to help him.

I see Travis overcoming one hurdle after another under Adrienne's help and I consider her to be the one of the most valuable assets to Travis' recovery since we started 12 years ago. Adrienne is professional, committed, disciplined, dependable, creative and patient. We are so very fortunate to have her as part of our family and Travis' life.  I just can't say enough about the tremendous progress Travis has made under her care. Thank you for providing such an excellent habilitator.

Parents, do you have a habilitator that goes above and beyond?  Send your nominations for Employee of the Month to greatwork@AZAunited.org!